A coral "head" is a colony of myriad genetically identical polyps. Each polyp is a spineless animal typically only a few millimeters in diameter and a few centimeters in length. A set of tentacles surround a central mouth opening. An exoskeleton is excreted near the base. Over many generations, the colony thus creates a large skeleton that is characteristic of the species. Individual heads grow by asexual reproduction of polyps. Corals also breed sexually by spawning: polyps of the same species release gametes simultaneously over a period of one to several nights around a full moon.
Attributes | Values |
---|---|
rdfs:label |
|
rdfs:comment |
|
dcterms:subject |
|
dbkwik:walking-wit...iPageUsesTemplate | |
dbkwik:walkingwith...iPageUsesTemplate | |
abstract |
|